This is the first Denise Mina novel I have read having heard her talk about this book on the radio. It is a mostly fictionalised account of the actions of serial killer Peter Manuel in Glasgow in the 1950s with court proceedings. The chapters mostly alternate between a night when William Watt and Peter Manuel take part in a long all-night pub crawl around Glasgow and Manuel's trial. Along with these two characters, Glasgow is another charcter in the novel and its pre-development streets and busy pubs is an important character that comes alive with Denise Mina's writing. This structure leads to tension as the reader wonders what will be revealed in the trial. The changes of the sympathies of the jury and the crowd of women in the public gallery are here and the discomfort of the witnesses. Denise Mina conjures up a world of almost 70 years ago with skill. ( )

I’d never read anything by Denise Mina before, but I picked this up in a Kindle deal a while ago and started it recently not really sure what to expect. From the first few pages I knew I was reading something special. It’s a short crime novel, based on the crimes and prosecution of Peter Manuel, a murderer often referred to as Scotland’s first serial killer. Set in 1950s Glasgow, it paints a grim picture of a city that was riddled with crime at the time, with gangs ruling the streets and violent drunkenness a part of everyday life. The style is deliberately detached and somewhat journalistic, but it still manages to draw the reader into the lives and obsessions of the central characters. The events are for the most part centered around Manuel’s trail for multiple murders and a weird, drunken night he spent with the husband/father of two of his victims. The switching of chapters between these two narratives works brilliantly and makes for a fascinating, chilling and uncomfortable read. I loved every page and can’t wait to read more of Mina’s books. ( )

Boring, disconnected, just didn't care enough to keep on. The times between reading got so long that I forgot everything that was happening. So returned to the library. If this was the first Mina book I'd tried it would have been my last. Luckily the others I've read have been better.

William Watts is the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, daughter and sister in law. Peter Manuel is a recently paroled convict, jailed for burglery. He contacts Watts saying he has the gun used in the murders and knows who the murderer is. Watts, trying to clear his name (although he was convicted of the crime), meets with Manuel and they spent 12 hours in early December 1957 Glasgow, going to bars and talking.

Fast forward to May 1958 and Manuel is on trial for 8 murders, including that of Watts' family. Manuel, a known rapist and story teller, fires his defense team and takes over his own defense. Will his own testimony be better for the defense or prosecution teams?

The Long Drop is based on the real serial killer, Peter Manuel, who was the 3rd to last convicted murderer hung in Scotland. The book starts off slow and then the tension and story escalate until you can't stop reading.

Mina is also the author of the 3 novel Paddy Meehan newsperson series which is televised on Acorn TV. I highly recommend The Long Drop and I'll be reading other Mina novels. ( )

I found this book via Marilyn Stasio's column in the New York Times. Having just returned from a trip to Scotland, it was fun piecing together a map in my mind from my tourist's-eye view of Glasgow. It's a well-crafted and gripping tale too. Though you know "who dunnit" from the start, there are enough turns and twists to keep you unsteady and wondering throughout. ( )